Blogs from France, Europe - page 1603

The week went by quicker than could keep up with. School was a blur now that I try to think back on it. Mostly handling technical difficulties between my american mac, and the french PC's, and finally getting acsess to my storyboard files. I attended their acting-for-animators class, which was taught by a retired mime. They were learning coreographed swordfighting; so we all took turns going at eachother with sticks. I'm not making this up. On thrusday I tagged along with the first year students to the Musee de Orsay, a giant train station converted into a museum that focuses on sculpture and impressionism. A lot of classics were there, it was great to see them with my own eyes. Dega's pastels were so soft and glowing, and all of Van Gough's environments has something strange ... read more

Motorhome News from Europe 15. France January 2005 Adios Spain, Bonjour France! Beyond the Orange Blossom Coast we camped for one night on the Ebro Delta; a dire site with electrics to make your hair stand on end and facilities to match, but we were here for the birding along the salt marshes and the beautiful beaches looking out towards the east. We saw no new birds, but the real excitement was a regimented line of over 100 herons sunning themselves along the bank like white ten-pins, five marsh harriers in the air at one time, and red breasted pochard yet again. We sneaked into Tarragona for a look and drove both ways along the Ramblas but found nowhere to park - well, it was Saturday. With our sights set on reaching Sitges on the coast, ... read more

Back from my 4th day at Gobelins, my 5th in Paris. I'm learning alot about how the school, and the country, works. At 9am, there is a roll call. Everyone must be at their desk or they get marked off. If you come after the roll call, you have to pop into the director's office personally and let him know where you were. There is an hour for lunch, then another roll call, then the building closes at 8pm. It's not open during the weekend either. Last night I decided that it was time for me to arrive at 9, with the rest of the class. I tried so hard.... I made 9:10 with messy hair and no makeup. There is a starbucks next to one of my metro stops, one day I will make it ... read more

From my first few days...... read more

Writing this on a french keyboard, in a Paris apartment, in a country not my own. Wow. So there was flying, and landing, and train-ing and bussing; turbulance, rain, snow, a baguette, and now, trail mix for dinner. I can't believe I made it in one piece. But unless this is some sweet, sweet dream, I am pretty well settled in Paris. I got off the metro, luggage lost, but a group of classmates found. We squezzed into a cafe and talked, and figured things out. I spilled the school director's drink with my giant backpack. He gave me a baguette. This is not the first time I'll feel like a big, clumsy kid. I feel like a kid in the way everything is new, mysterious, and unknown. Navigating the metro, buying a pastry in french, ... read more